The Central Division leading Vipers (16-9) ran away with the second half Saturday night for the win at Portland. The loss drops the Red Claws (17-12) to second in the East, a game behind Canton.

The two teams began the game swapping baskets, with neither building a lead of more than four points throughout the first quarter. But the iron was unkind to Maine in the second half, as the Claws shot just 26 percent with several shots rattling in and out.

Rio Grande Valley's Terrence Jones, who is on assignment from the Houston Rockets, led all scorers with 27 points while grabbing seven rebounds.